San Diego Navy captain 1st woman to command nuclear aircraft carrier

Captain Amy Bauernschmidt has taken command of the nuclear aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln becoming the first woman to lead an aircraft carrier in the US Navy history.

The change of command ceremony took place on 19 August 2021 on the flight deck.

Bauernschmidt is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who previously commanded amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70.

“There is no more humbling sense of responsibility than to know you are entrusted with the care of the people who have chosen to protect our nation,” Bauernschmidt said in a statement.

Amy Bauernschmidt took over the command from Capt. Walt “Sarge” Slaughter, a native of Austin, Texas.

During his 26 months of command, the sailors of Abraham Lincoln completed a 10-month combat deployment to the US 5th Fleet Area of Operations, the largest carrier maintenance package ever completed in San Diego during a planned incremental availability (PIA).

He also successfully led the crew through several at-sea integrated training events in preparation for the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s upcoming deployment.

Slaughter was awarded the Legion of Merit for his superior accomplishments and will report to Commander, Naval Air Forces for his next tour of duty.

USS Abraham Lincoln is home-ported at Naval Air Station North Island.